Sorghum stalks are used either as fodder, fertilizer or firewood in China's northern rural areas. But in the eyes of artisans, they are precious raw materials for making delicate handicrafts.

As you walk into the studio of Zhao Runsheng, your eyes are filled with all kinds of objects made with sorghum stalks, some placed side by side on his sofa and a nearby desk, while others hang on the wall.

Leaning against the wall in a corner are bundles of sorghum stalks of three colors — dark red, light red and yellowish white — in differing length and thickness.

Beside them sits the main stage in theater of creativity — a desk, covered by a red cloth upon which lies an uncompleted artwork, together with some stalks, a palette knife and a graver.

On a normal day, Zhao would sit at the desk and conjure up exquisite handicrafts by whittling, weaving, cutting or engraving the stalks.

The 54-year-old man is currently the only inheritor of this technique — a provincial intangible cultural heritage in Jingxing mining area of Shijiazhuang, the capital city of Hebei province in North China. It was added to the provincial intangible cultural heritage list in 2007.

Outside Zhao's studio is a room where he rests and eats when he makes time away from being surrounded by stalks.

Zhao's artistic works cover a wide range of subjects, including buildings, animals and objects like lanterns. Some standout examples of his work are an imposing and intricate model of a three-story building in the style of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and a small, delicate and exquisite grasshopper cage.

The works are mainly sold at various exhibitions around the country, or to customers who visit him after learning about his handicraft.

Attempting to build a future for his craft
By Zhang Yu | China Daily Global | Updated: 2023-03-24 08:34

Zhao in the process of preparing sorghum stalks to make an article.[Photo provided by Gu Binjie and Chen Feng/For China Daily]
Zhao had been creating stalk works as a hobby for almost two decades, before starting to dedicate himself totally to preserving and perfecting the craft in 2010.

"I sensed that the traditional handicraft might be lost forever if nobody decided to adopt it as a lifelong career," Zhao says.

Wang Li, head of the Cultural Center of Jingxing Mining Area, says that the folk custom of creating handicrafts with sorghum stalks can be traced back to the late Qing Dynasty.

Stalk items are completely handmade, and often feature specific regional characteristics.

"It has been passed down for the past century," Wang says. However, he adds, there are fewer young people interested in learning the skills and taking up the baton nowadays.

"It requires a person to concentrate their mind on studying the techniques and work with the stalks all day long," Zhao says. "It must be someone who really enjoys the craft, otherwise they won't stick with it."

Zhao was able to maintain his interest in the craft, thanks to his instructor Xu Yaode.